Executive Summary

Curtin University is committed to innovation and excellence for the benefit of our diverse global community. Our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) commits to making Curtin’s education, employment and services accessible to people whose innovation and excellence might otherwise be denied or lost to the community. It builds on our values of integrity, respect, courage, excellence and impact, and aligns with our Strategic Plan 2017-2020.

Curtin is required by a 2004 amendment of the Disability Services Act 1993 (WA) to prepare and lodge a DAIP. The Disability Services Commission (DSC) is mandated to receive the plan and to require annual reporting in Curtin’s Annual Report. Curtin is also required to report to the DSC each July on the progress of its plan. A full review of the DAIP must be undertaken every five years.

This plan replaces Curtin’s 2012–2017 DAIP. It seeks to consolidate our previous achievements in improving access and inclusion and further embed universal design thinking and practice into all that we do.

The seven outcomes of the DAIP have been prescribed by the DSC. The strategies identified to achieve these outcomes have been developed following a comprehensive review and community consultation process, involving students, staff and community members, conducted between September and November 2016.

The implementation of the DAIP is the responsibility of all Curtin staff and is led by the Disability Access and Inclusion Committee.

Staff profile

“I work with students, looking at their health circumstances – whether it’s a long-term disability, chronic illness or temporary condition – and how it impacts upon their capacity to undertake their studies. Then, I look at reasonable adjustments that can be made to ensure equal participation in all aspects of their study.

Helping people engage with our services – to see the transformation from when they’re sitting really hesitantly to becoming optimistic and hopeful in what they can achieve – is probably the biggest buzz.

One of our challenges is to progress people’s understanding of being open-minded about students who face obstacles relating to their disability. It’s important to remember that it’s not just the responsibility of disability services to support students; it’s the whole University.”